“I’VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS” — POLICE LEFT SHAKEN BY WHAT THEY FOUND INSIDE A routine call quickly turned into something far darker, as officers stepped into a scene they say will stay with them forever. What happened inside that home wasn’t just sudden, it was something no one expected, and the timeline is still unclear. Now, pieces of the story are starting to emerge, but each new detail only makes it more unsettling. What led up to that moment, and what are investigators still not saying? 📌 Full story in the comments

8 children killed in Louisiana shooting tragedy

A crazed Louisiana dad fatally shot eight kids — including seven of his own children — and wounded two women during a rampage Sunday morning.

Seven of the slain kids were the children of murderous, deranged dad and 31-year-old Army vet Shamar Elkins, who also killed his kids’ cousin during the massacre, according to local officials.

The victims ranged in age from 3 to 11.

Cops found seven of the murdered children in one house — while the eighth child killed appeared to have futilely tried to escape off the roof on the back of the house when he was shot, Shreveport Police Department spokesman Christopher Bordelon said.

Police tape blocks off a house in Shreveport, Louisiana, where a mass shooting occurred.
Police tape outside of a house that was one of the sites of a mass shooting in Shreveport that left eight children dead on April 19, 2026.AP
A white door covered in apparent blood stains and evidence markers from a mass shooting.
Blood seen splattered on the door of one of the houses where the shooting took place.AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Most of the children were shot in the head while they slept. He believes Elkins used a small-caliber handgun for the initial killings, but was carrying a “rifle-style pistol” when he was apprehended, Bordelon told NBC News.

The killer also shot the two mothers of his children, each in the head, during his rampage.

He shot his wife, with whom he shared four kids, at the home with the children and the mother of three of his kids at a separate home nearby, according to a relative who spoke to the Associated Press.

Crystal Brown, one of the surviving victims’ cousins, told the outlet that Elkins and his wife were in the process of formally separating and were due in court on Monday.

She said the pair were arguing about their separation when Elkins opened fire.

At least one of the women suffered life-threatening injuries.

“We have three crime scenes just here in Shreveport. One of them is incredibly gruesome in nature,” Bordelon said.

“I know that some of the suspect’s children resided there. I’m not sure if at one point in time he lived there.”

Police investigate a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, with police cars and yellow caution tape visible.
The killer murdered seven of his own children.AP
A police SUV parked in front of a house cordoned off with crime scene tape.
The eight slain victims ranged from 3 to 11 years old, and seven of them were Elkins’ children.AP

There were audible gasps as Bordelon revealed the ages of the deceased.

The crime scenes in Shreveport were described as “extensive” and spanned two homes on the same street and a third on a nearby street.

Police tape stretches across a suburban street where a shooting suspect was killed.
The gunman was shot dead by cops in neighboring Bossier City after fleeing and attempting to steal a car.KSLA

After the shootings, the gunman carjacked a vehicle and tried to escape by fleeing to neighboring Bossier City, where he had a connection to a home, but was killed by pursuing cops, according to authorities.

“The individual responsible, once leaving this scene, performed a carjacking right here in close proximity to the corner of West 79th and Linwood, at which point in time, Shreveport police patrol officers got behind that vehicle in a chase incident,” Bordelon said.

No police officers were injured in their pursuit of Elkins.

“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” Chief Smith said.

People gather behind police tape near a Shreveport Police mobile command center at the scene of a mass shooting.
Shreveport residents gathered at the corner of Linwood Avenue and 79th Street near the scene of the shooting.AP

Louisiana State Police said their detectives have been asked to help investigate by the Shreveport PD, KSLA reported.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the shooting as one of the worst tragedies in his city’s history.

“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” the mayor told a news conference.

“It’s a terrible morning, and we all mourn for the victims,” he said.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he and his wife Sharon were heartbroken over the events.

“We’re praying for everyone affected. We’re deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” Gov. Landry wrote on Facebook Sunday.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was born in Shreveport and represents the city in Congress, also spoke out.

“Heartbreaking tragedy in Shreveport this morning — 8 children were senselessly killed and multiple others were injured. My team is in touch with local law enforcement as more details emerge,” he wrote on X.

“We’re holding the victims, their families and loved ones, and our Shreveport community close in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. And we are grateful to the Shreveport, Bossier, and Louisiana State Police for their swift response,” Johnson added.

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